Mr. Beefheart
captain beefheart, “hot Head,”
from: doc at the radar station, 1980
The social, political, and racial environment of the American South during the late 1960’s is probably beyond the understanding of anyone who didn’t live there, as I did . . . but that’s for another day. Suffice it to say for now that into that world came Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart, changing forever my sense of what was meaningful, what was possible, what was permissible. Conformity, in other words, was out the window. Their music opened the door for me to begin exploring what the hell my life was about and how I wanted to live it.
Over the years, with very few exceptions, I owned and listened to every record both of them ever made. Beefheart, in particular, captivated me with his sense of the absurd, along with his deep appreciation of American roots music, fantastic wordplay, creative musical excursions, and commitment to a truly unique sonic style, which is evident from the beginning to end of his recording career.
Admittedly, much of Beefheart’s music is difficult to approach and, for the most part, not widely appreciated among the general listening pubic, but his unique artistry is beyond challenge.
-Walter Henritze-
“She can burn you up in bed
Just like she said
Cos she’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
She can throw uh pot t’show(?)
She can start a fire aglow
Cos she’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
She puts her head into the fire
Makes you red hot perspire
Cos she’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
She was burnt before she was born
Burnin’ up a storm
Cos she’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
Lick out like flame
‘n’ burn you to a shame
‘n’ bite the burnin’ flame
Things are burnin’ big
She’s a red hot pig
She’s a hobo wire toaster
She’s a circle on a spit
She’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
She can stitch you to a wheel
Take you to her fire
‘n’ spin you round ‘n’ round
Boy, you take you down
Fire Fire Fire
She’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
Burn you up in bed
Just like she said
Cos she’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
She can lick out like a flame
Burn you to a shame
Yeah, bite a burnin’ flame
She can burn you up in bed
Coil you up instead
Cos she’s a Hot Head, Hot Head, Hot Head
She can throw uh pot t’show (?)
She can start a fire aglow”
Artwork by Van Vliet
Final Note: On two occasions, I had the opportunity to see Captain Beefheart play live. The first time was at Clark University in 1972 and his opening (non-musical) act was a performer cavorting on stage with numerous monkeys. (Frankly, at this point, I’ve forgotten the details of this particular part of the evening.) At the conclusion of the concert, the crowd clapped and screamed and shouted, “More, more, more.” Returning to the stage alone, Beefheart sidled up the microphone and asked, “So, you want more?” The place went wild, yes they wanted more. So, The Man quietly began whistling the classic song “More” . . . and when he departed the stage all was quiet.
-Walter Henritze-